Representative Stephanie Barnard

05/02/2026

Beginning Monday, May 4, election-year restrictions will limit regular legislative communications from my office, including posts to this platform, until after the November general election results are certified by the Secretary of State, unless a special session is called.

However, these rules do not prevent you from contacting me.

I am still your state representative year-round, and my office remains available to answer questions, connect you with state resources, listen to your concerns, and hear your ideas. Please continue reaching out as you normally would.

You can find my contact information on my website at RepresentativeStephanieBarnard.com.

05/01/2026

The 2026 legislative session has ended, but the work on behalf of the 8th District has not.

In my latest Capitol Snapshot, I share updates from the past several weeks, including our recent 8th District town hall, ongoing work on energy reliability, advanced nuclear technology, innovation, workforce development, and economic growth, as well as important information about election-year communication limits that begin Monday, May 4.

While regular legislative communications will be limited during this time, I am still your state representative year-round. My office remains available to answer questions, connect you with state resources, listen to your concerns, and hear your ideas.

You can read the full update here ⬇️

One of the best parts of serving the 8th District is the work that continues after the legislative session ends. While the pace slows down, the conversations, policy work, and advocacy on behalf of our region continue year-round. Over the past several weeks, I have been focused on staying connected....

04/28/2026

My 2026 Legislative Report with Washington State Representative April Connors and Sen. Matt Boehnke should be hitting your mailbox soon!

This report provides a recap of the legislative session, including updates on the state operating, transportation, and capital budgets, local projects funded in our region, the work we did to advance good policy, and the areas where we believe Olympia missed the mark.

It is an honor to serve the 8th District, and I hope you will take a few minutes to read through the report when it arrives. As always, I value hearing from you and encourage you to reach out to my office with your questions, concerns, or ideas.

Click below ⬇️ to read the full report.

Reps. Stephanie Barnard and April Connors, together with Sen. Matt Boehnke, provide a comprehensive review of the 2026 legislative session in this newsletter to their constituents in the 8th District.

04/09/2026

REMINDER: TOWN HALL ON SATURDAY

I want to invite you to an upcoming in-person 8th District town hall with Washington State Representative April Connors, Sen. Matt Bohenke, and me.

Saturday, April 11
9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Columbia Basin College, Gjerde Center
2600 N. 20th Ave, Pasco

This will be a great opportunity to ask questions, share your concerns, and engage directly with your lawmakers. We will also recap what happened during the 2026 legislative session and talk about the decisions made in Olympia that could affect your family, your community, and our region.

I always value the chance to hear directly from the people I serve, and I hope you will join us on Saturday.

03/31/2026

I’m deeply honored to be named the inaugural Business Champion of the Year by the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce.

This recognition means a lot to me because I’ve fought from day one to strengthen our business climate, support innovation, and create real opportunities for job growth here in the Tri-Cities and across Washington. I’ve always believed government should be a partner in opportunity, not a barrier to it.

Thank you to the Chamber for this honor. I’m excited to keep working for policies that help our employers, entrepreneurs, and innovators thrive. Read more here ⬇️

Rep. Stephanie Barnard, R-Pasco, has been named the inaugural recipient of the Business Champion of the Year award, presented by the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce to recognize an elected official who has fostered a strong business climate and supported job creation in the region. “I’m de...

03/24/2026

I’m excited to share some great news for the 8th District and Tri-Cities region!

Your 8th District legislative team secured key investments in the 2026 supplemental capital budget, building on last year’s progress and bringing the biennial total for our region to more than $100 million. These investments support housing, community facilities, infrastructure, public spaces, and other local priorities that help our communities grow and thrive.

This kind of work takes persistence, partnership, and a strong focus on what matters most at home. I’m proud to help deliver these investments, along with my seatmates Sen. Matt Boehnke and Rep. April Connors, that will strengthen our communities, support local jobs, and improve the quality of life across the 8th District.

Read more here ⬇️

Sen. Matt Boehnke and Reps. April Connors and Stephanie Barnard secured key investments for the 8th District and the Tri-Cities region in the 2026 supplemental capital budget, building on major investments in last year’s budget and bringing total funding for the biennium to more than $100 million....

03/22/2026

SAVE THE DATE!! 📆

I want to invite you to an upcoming in-person 8th District town hall with Washington State Representative April Connors , Sen. Matt Bohenke, and me.

Saturday, April 11
9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Columbia Basin College, Gjerde Center
2600 N. 20th Ave, Pasco

This will be a great opportunity to ask questions, share your concerns, and engage directly with your lawmakers. We will also recap what happened during the 2026 legislative session and talk about the decisions made in Olympia that could affect your family, your community, and our region.

I always value the chance to hear directly from the people I serve, and I hope you will join us.

03/21/2026

The 2026 session may be over, but the results matter. In my latest Weekly Capitol Snapshot, I’m sharing highlights from two bills signed into law, major investments for the 8th District and surrounding communities, and what these wins mean for our region moving forward. I’d love for you to take a look at the full update here. ⬇️

Welcome to Barnard’s Weekly Capitol Snapshot. Now that the 2026 legislative session has concluded on March 12, I wanted to take a step back and share a fuller recap of some of the real results delivered for the 8th District and surrounding communities during the session. Session moves fast, and a ...

03/21/2026

BIG NEWS: After three years of work, my bill, House Bill 1210, has been signed into law.

This is a huge step forward for Washington and a big win for the Tri-Cities. My bill helps ensure our state does not lose major clean energy and advanced nuclear manufacturing opportunities simply because state policy failed to keep pace with lengthy federal approval timelines.

With HB 1210 now law, Washington will be in a stronger position to compete for transformative projects that can create family-wage jobs, attract private investment, and drive long-term economic growth.

I have fought hard for this legislation because I believe our state should be ready to seize these opportunities, not lose them to preventable delays.

Read more in the press release below. ⬇️

Washington cannot afford to lose economic development opportunities because state timelines fail to match the real-world pace of federal approval. For certain clean energy transformation projects, including those tied to advanced nuclear manufacturing, years of federal review can push construction p...

03/11/2026

After more than 24 hours of debate on the House floor, the majority party passed Senate Bill 6346 to establish a state income tax. While it is being deemed a "millionaires tax," an income tax on anyone opens the door to an income tax on everyone.

House Republicans fought hard for a better path forward. We offered amendments to provide immediate financial relief to Washingtonians, including lowering the state sales tax and protecting retirement income. Every single proposal was rejected.

Washington voters have already rejected an income tax 10 times. We need to focus on making life more affordable, not building a new tax code that will eventually target working families.

Read my full statement here:

The Washington State Legislature has passed Senate Bill 6346, establishing a state income tax. The sweeping measure fundamentally alters Washington’s tax structure and advances after a non-stop 24-hour debate on the House floor. The bill levies a 9.9% tax on household income above $1 million. It g...